Description

Despite the supposed “rebirth” of Cleveland, with its NBA Championship, World Series, and Republican convention, for African Americans living there, the city is far from reborn.

After investigating the murder of 12-year-old Tamir Rice by police, the Cuyahoga County prosecutor found the perpetrators would not be tried in a court of law. Dispatches from Cleveland bears witness to the boy’s mother as she recalls how the prosecutor failed to fight for her family, and chose instead to make the family somehow nothing more than opportunists. And yet, black voters in Cleveland fought and worked to throw the District Attorney from office, a crucial first step in healing. The fight is far from over.

Director’s Biography

Catherine Gund, the founder of Aubin Pictures, is an Emmy-nominated producer, director, writer, and organizer. Her media work focuses on arts and culture, HIV/AIDS and reproductive health, the environment, and other social justice issues. Her films - which include Born to Fly, What's On Your Plate?, A Touch of Greatness, Motherland Afghanistan, Making Grace, On Hostile Ground, and Hallelujah! - have screened around the world in festivals, theaters, museums, and schools; on PBS's Independent Lens, Discovery's Planet Green, and the Sundance Channel.

Gund's most recent project, Born to Fly pushes the boundaries between action and art, daring us to join choreographer Elizabeth Streb and her dancers in pursuit of human flight. Her multimedia project What's On Your Plate?, is a fun and provocative documentary about kids and food politics, accompanied by a curriculum, website and workbook for families. She is also currently co-directing and co-producing Chavela. She lives in NYC with her four children.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, and a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation.